2016 Golf R - Downsizing 19" to 17" Wheels

[bassfishing85]

I have a 2016 Golf R that unfortunately came with the 19-inch package. Because I live in NJ, which has terrible roads and potholes, I'm downsizing to 17-inch wheels for comfort and to avoid worrying as much about blowing out a tire/rim.

I'm looking at any number of wheels from TireRack that are 17x8 with a 45 offset. Also, in order to get as close as possible to the stock diameter, I'm looking at 235/45/17 tires even though tire rack recommends 225/45/17. Any ideas if this will cause a problem? The stock tire is 235/35/19.

Thoughts on if this setup will work with brake clearance, geometry, etc? Is there a better size/combo alternative to get? Also, will the indirect TPMS just detect and adjust to the new tires, or will I need to do some type of resetting?

Thanks for your help.

 

[breaking badly]

17x8 ET45 up to ET50 with 235/45 R17 is the perfect match
and closest to 235/35 R19. I don't see any issues. TPMS will
work as before, as it just detects and compares wheel speeds.
You just need to reset it via your infotainment screen as you
should every time after check/setting tire pressures.
ET45 with 235 can in some cases cause slight rubbing, depen-
ding on tire manufacturer.
One concern I'd have with non-OE 17" wheels is clearing the
front calipers. Some 17" wheels will clear your brakes, some
won't depending on the shape of the wheel barrel and spokes.

Hope this helps.

Are you running dedicated summers and winters or all-seasons?

 

[bassfishing85]

17x8 ET45 up to ET50 with 235/45 R17 is the perfect match
and closest du 235/35 R19. I don't see any issues. TPMS will
work as before, as it just detects and compares wheel speeds.
You just need to reset it via your infotainment screen as you
should every time after check/setting tire pressures.
ET45 with 235 can in some cases cause slight rubbing, depen-
ding on tire manufacturer.
One concern I'd have with non-OE 17" wheels is clearing the
front calipers. Some 17" wheels will clear your brakes, some
won't depending on the shape of the wheel barrel and spokes.

Hope this helps.

Are you running dedicated summers and winters or all-seasons?

Thanks for the advice! Definitely helps a ton.

I'm ordering the wheels with tires already mounted/balanced from TireRack using their wheel/tire package selector for the 2016 Golf R, so I'm hoping that means they will clear the brakes. If not and I need to return them for a different set then I hope they will refund/cover the shipping and everything.

I use UHP All Seasons during Spring, Summer and Fall, and Performance Winter/Snow during the winter. I travel north a fair amount on somewhat poorly maintained roads so I don't feel comfortable using dedicated summers because it is often much colder up there (below recommended temps for summer), but will still be way too warm back home for winters. So the UHP All season is my 3-season compromise. Will be getting a second set of 17-inch rims and tires for the winter.

Had a lot of success with the BF Goodrich G-Force Comp 2 A/S for the all-seasons and open to suggestions for the winter tires.

 

[bassfishing85]

17x8 ET45 up to ET50 with 235/45 R17 is the perfect match
and closest du 235/35 R19. I don't see any issues. TPMS will
work as before, as it just detects and compares wheel speeds.
You just need to reset it via your infotainment screen as you
should every time after check/setting tire pressures.
ET45 with 235 can in some cases cause slight rubbing, depen-
ding on tire manufacturer.
One concern I'd have with non-OE 17" wheels is clearing the
front calipers. Some 17" wheels will clear your brakes, some
won't depending on the shape of the wheel barrel and spokes.

Hope this helps.

Are you running dedicated summers and winters or all-seasons?

Also forgot to ask if it would be safer to go with 225 rather than 235 and just deal with the difference in size and speedometer issues.

 

[breaking badly]

With 225/45 R17 your speedo will just show little more, which isn't
an issue at all.
The meatier 235/45 R17 will provide slightly better wheel protection.

I need to add, that both 225/45 and 235/45 are available with higher
load indexes alternatively. This should be a benefit as you say there
are so many potholes in NJ. Most 235s already have higher LI than
225s (LI 94 instead of 91). The slightly stiffer sidewalls should not
be any concern ride-wise compared to the 19" tires you come from.

Sadly I'm no expert in all-seasons as I live in Europe where no one
runs all-seasons. Summers from April to October, that's what very
most people do here. Even more the tire offerings are fundamentally
different in Europe. We don't get what you get, you don't get what
we get here. In Europe I'd try the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or the
Conti SportContact 5, which both are fine at any temperature. I've
seen raving reviews of the Michelin A/S 3 on this forum though . . .

 

[bassfishing85]

With 225/45 R17 your speedo will just show little more, which isn't
an issue at all.
The meatier 235/45 R17 will provide slightly better wheel protection.

I need to add, that both 225/45 and 235/45 are available with higher
load indexes alternatively. This should be a benefit as you say there
are so many potholes in NJ. Most 235s already have higher LI than
225s (LI 94 instead of 91). The slightly stiffer sidewalls should be a
concern ride-wise compared to the 19" tires you come from.

Sadly I'm no expert in all-seasons as I live in Europe where no one
runs all-seasons. Summers from April to October, that's what very
most people do here. Even more the tire offerings are fundamentally
different in Europe. We don't get what you get, you don't get what
we get here. In Europe I'd try the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or the
Conti SportContact 5, which both are fine at any temperature. I've
seen raving reviews of the Michelin A/S 3 on this forum though . . .

Thanks for the advice. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain.

What do you think is the likelihood of 235's having rubbing issues?

 

[breaking badly]

Again, with ET45 offset + some tire makes (which tend
to be wider than other, e.g. Michelin) + 235/45 there
could be some chance of rubbing.
Guess I've seen topics about comparing actual tire width
on this forum. I'd do a search.
This shouldn't be any concern if you go for ET48 or ET50
wheels. 19x8 ET50 is what your factory wheels are and
running similar width and offset is certainly safest option.


Btw, sorry for the typo. It should read:
"The slightly stiffer sidewalls should not be any concern
ride-wise compared to the 19" tires you come from."

 

[bassfishing85]

Again, with ET45 offset + some tire makes (which tend
to be wider than other, e.g. Michelin) + 235/45 there
could be some chance of rubbing.
Guess I've seen topics about comparing actual tire width
on this forum. I'd do a search.
This shouldn't be any concern if you go for ET48 or ET50
wheels. 19x8 ET50 is what your factory wheels are and
running similar width and offset is certainly safest option.


Btw, sorry for the typo. It should read:
"The slightly stiffer sidewalls should not be any concern
ride-wise compared to the 19" tires you come from."

Just ordered a set of 17x8 ET50 with 235/45/17 tires from Tire Rack. Will update with how it goes. Thanks so much for all of your help in this process.

 

[breaking badly]

Keep me informed on fitment and ride.

 

[Brooklyn]

Yeah. Keep us posted. I just picked up a GTI and the stock 18's are rough on these outer borough NYC streets.

 

[bassfishing85]

Ended up getting Enkei PF01 wheels in 17x8 ET50 with 235/45/17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires. Fits easily over the front brakes and no rubbing encountered so far with some nearly full lock turns. Rides like a dream compared to the OEM setup.

 

[breaking badly]

Pleased to read that.

Any pictures?

 

[bassfishing85]

Pleased to read that.

Any pictures?

https://imgur.com/B1kD4Je

 

[Circadudexl]

How did this work out for you? Also live in NJ and after my 20 something flat tire and 2nd rim I need to make the switch to 17s. I’m not very wheel tire savvy so bare with me. So I can get any 17s with ET50 with 235/45/17 tires?